Tibetan Prayer Flags
By Andy Hagerty
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Traditional prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The are not used to carry prayers to god, but the belief is the mantas and prayers on the flag will be carried on the wind to spread goodwill and compassion into the area. The flags benefit is for all living beings in the area. The Tibetan word for prayer flag is Dar Cho. “Dar” means to increase life, fortune, health and wealth. “Cho” means all sentient beings.
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Prayer flags are simple devices that, coupled with the natural energy of the wind, quietly harmonize the environment, impartially increasing happiness and good fortune among all living beings. As the wind passes over the surface of the flag, it is purified and sanctified by the mantras printed on the flag. They are usually left up all year, only being changed on the Tibetan new year. As the images on the flags fade from exposure they become a permanent part of the universe. Many times old flags will be left up, with the new ones mounted next to the old. This is seen as part of the natural cycle of life. The new replacing the old in a continuous cycle.
Because the symbols and mantras on prayer flags are sacred, they should be treated with respect. They should not be placed on the ground or used on clothing. Old prayer flags should be left to naturally disintegrate or be burned so the smoke can carry their blessings.
Because the symbols and mantras on prayer flags are sacred, they should be treated with respect. They should not be placed on the ground or used on clothing. Old prayer flags should be left to naturally disintegrate or be burned so the smoke can carry their blessings.
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There are two major types of prayer flags, the horizontal ones, called Lung ta (meaning "Wind Horse") and the vertical ones, called Darchor (meaning "Flagstaff"). We carry the Lung ta in our shop. Although we have several different types, most follow the same general pattern. Prayer Flags traditionally come in sets of five. The five flags represent the 5 elements and the five pure lights. The colors are usually arranged in a specific order from left to right. The colors are: blue(sky and space), white (air and wind), red(fire), green(water), and yellow(earth). It is the balance of these five elements that maintain health and harmony in traditional Tibetan medicine.
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History
The prayer flag concept dates back to the Bon shamanistic traditions of pre Buddhist Tibet. The Bonpo priests used primary colored cloths linked to the five elements in healing ceremonies. There is discussion if they used blank flags or printed words or pictures on them. The balance of Space, Air, Fire, Water, and earth are key to health. Properly arranging colored flags around a sick patient harmonized the elements in his body. This helped to produce a state of physical and mental health.
Additionally, colored flags were also used to help appease the local gods and spirits of the mountains, valleys, lakes and streams. It was thought that these elemental beings would cause natural disasters and disease when provoked.
Appeasing these spirits and balancing the outer elements was the Bonpo way of pacifying nature and invoking the blessings of the gods.
During the first millennium AD Buddhism gradually assimilated into the Tibetan way of life. The zenith was reached in the ninth century when the religious King of Tibet invited Guru Padmasambhava to come to Tibet. The guru was there to act against forces impeding the spread of Buddhism. The Guru was able to bind the local Tibetan spirits by oath and transformed them into forces compatible with the spread of Buddhism. Many of the designs today come from his hand. Others were created by Tibetan masters and passed down through the generations.
In the 15th century, wood block printing was imported from China. This allowed the masters to design the mantras and prayers for the flags. Skilled crafts people would then carve them into the blocks and printers would be able to make them. This allowed a perfect copy of the ancient masters works to come through the ages intact. Many of the flags are still produced in the woodblock printing manner.
When the Chinese took over Tibet they destroyed much of everything having to do with Tibetan culture and religion. Prayer flags were discouraged but not entirely eliminated. We will never know how many traditional designs have been lost forever since the turmoil of China’s cultural revolution. Many of the wood blocks were lost and destroyed.
Additionally, colored flags were also used to help appease the local gods and spirits of the mountains, valleys, lakes and streams. It was thought that these elemental beings would cause natural disasters and disease when provoked.
Appeasing these spirits and balancing the outer elements was the Bonpo way of pacifying nature and invoking the blessings of the gods.
During the first millennium AD Buddhism gradually assimilated into the Tibetan way of life. The zenith was reached in the ninth century when the religious King of Tibet invited Guru Padmasambhava to come to Tibet. The guru was there to act against forces impeding the spread of Buddhism. The Guru was able to bind the local Tibetan spirits by oath and transformed them into forces compatible with the spread of Buddhism. Many of the designs today come from his hand. Others were created by Tibetan masters and passed down through the generations.
In the 15th century, wood block printing was imported from China. This allowed the masters to design the mantras and prayers for the flags. Skilled crafts people would then carve them into the blocks and printers would be able to make them. This allowed a perfect copy of the ancient masters works to come through the ages intact. Many of the flags are still produced in the woodblock printing manner.
When the Chinese took over Tibet they destroyed much of everything having to do with Tibetan culture and religion. Prayer flags were discouraged but not entirely eliminated. We will never know how many traditional designs have been lost forever since the turmoil of China’s cultural revolution. Many of the wood blocks were lost and destroyed.
Text and symbols
Texts seen on prayer flags can be broadly categorized as mantra, sutra and prayers.
A mantra is a power-laden syllable or series of syllables that can influence energy dimensions. The forces that control respond to the vibration of the mantra. This continuous repetition of mantras is a form of meditation. Mantras are almost always in Sanskrit, which is the ancient language of Hinduism and Buddhism. The mantra can be a single syllable to hundreds of syllables. Om is one of the most recognizable of the single syllables. These mantras are not really translatable as their meanings are beyond words.
Sutras are texts based on the discourses directly derived from Shakyamuni Buddha. This is the historical Buddha who taught in India 2500 years ago. Sutras generally have long, medium and short versions. Prayer flags mostly use the short versions with the occasional medium version. One short form of sutra often seen on prayer flag is the dharani. Closely related to mantras, dharanis contain magical formulas comprised of syllables with symbolic content. They often just convey the essence of a teaching or a particular state of mind.
Prayers would be the general catch all for all other text seen on prayer flags. Supplications, good wishes, desires, and such written by various masters throughout the history of Mahayana Buddhism Symbols.
A mantra is a power-laden syllable or series of syllables that can influence energy dimensions. The forces that control respond to the vibration of the mantra. This continuous repetition of mantras is a form of meditation. Mantras are almost always in Sanskrit, which is the ancient language of Hinduism and Buddhism. The mantra can be a single syllable to hundreds of syllables. Om is one of the most recognizable of the single syllables. These mantras are not really translatable as their meanings are beyond words.
Sutras are texts based on the discourses directly derived from Shakyamuni Buddha. This is the historical Buddha who taught in India 2500 years ago. Sutras generally have long, medium and short versions. Prayer flags mostly use the short versions with the occasional medium version. One short form of sutra often seen on prayer flag is the dharani. Closely related to mantras, dharanis contain magical formulas comprised of syllables with symbolic content. They often just convey the essence of a teaching or a particular state of mind.
Prayers would be the general catch all for all other text seen on prayer flags. Supplications, good wishes, desires, and such written by various masters throughout the history of Mahayana Buddhism Symbols.
Please note, it would be a work of a lifetime to adequately learn and explain the meanings of all the symbols used on Tibetan prayer flags. Symbols all have meanings larger than their appearance. Many of the Buddhist symbols have meanings that are only hinted at. We have compiled some of the more common symbols and their meanings.
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The Wind Horse (Lung-ta) carrying the “Wish Fulfilling Jewel of Enlightenment” is the the most seen symbol on prayer flags. Lung-ta represents good fortune and the life force that uplifts and makes things go well. |
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The Eight Auspicious Symbols (Tashi Targye) is the oldest and most popular symbol groupings among Tibetans. The eight symbols are:
The Parasol - protects from evil and negativity. The Golden Fish - happiness and being saved from the ‘sea of suffering’. The Treasure Vase - fulfillment of material and spiritual wishes. The Lotus - purity and spiritual growth. The Conch Shell - teachings of the enlightened ones. The Endless Knot - symbolizing meditative mind and Buddha’s infinite knowledge. The Victory Banner - overcoming obstacles and the victory of wisdom over ignorance. The Dharma Wheel – symbol of spiritual and universal law. |
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The Vajra (dorje) This is the symbol of indestructibility. In Buddhism it represents true reality, the being or essence of everything existing. This pure emptiness is unborn, imperishable and unceasing. |
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The Four Dignities - These four animals are seen in the corners of many Tibetan prayer flags. They represent the qualities needed to be developed to reach enlightenment. The dignitaries are the Garuda, the Sky Dragon, the Snow Lion and the Tiger. The qualities include awareness, vast vision, confidence, joy, humility and power. |
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The Seven Precious Possessions of a Monarch - These collectively symbolize secular power. The objects assist the ruler with knowledge and power. To the spiritual practitioner they represent wisdom, spirit and power over obstacles to enlightenment. They are:
Precious Wheel / Precious Jewel / Precious Queen / Precious Minister / Precious Elephant / Precious Horse / Precious General |
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The Union of Opposites (mithun gyulgyal) This group of symbols are pairs of beings joined to symbolize harmony. Usually they would be animals that would be mortal enemies. These composite creatures are often put on Victory Banners for the reconciliation of disharmony and disagreement. |
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Deities and Enlightened Beings – Deities in Vajrayana Buddhism are not what gods as such but representations of the aspects of Enlightened Mind. Their postures, hand gestures, implements and ornaments symbolize various qualities of the particular aspect. The three main aspects of enlightened mind are compassion, wisdom and power, represented respectively by Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri and Vajrapani.There are other images depicted on prayer flags that look very similar to the transcendental deities. These are actually enlightened human beings such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava, and Milarepa.
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The Elements - Vajrayana Buddhism divides the world into five basic energies. Everything material are composed of these five elements which are categorized as earth, water, fire, air and space. Spiritually these five energies correspond to the five Buddha Families and also the five Wisdoms. Prayer flags reflect this as each of the 5 colors relates to an element and also an aspect of enlightenment. The order of colors are Yellow (earth), Green(water), Red(fire), White(air), and Blue(space). These colors are displayed vertically with the yellow on bottom and horizontally they can go either right to left or left to right.
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Flying prayer flags
Flying prayer flags around one’s space increases the spiritual atmosphere and benefits all who inhabit the area. The sacred mantras are borne on the wind and generate peace and good wishes. The higher the flag is flown, the greater the area it can affect. The most important factor in flying a prayer flag is motivation. You should have the feeling that all beings should receive the benefits and find happiness. This motivation will allow the flags to have maximum power and effect.
The flags should be hung only during auspicious days, on sunny days in the morning in a strong wind. They should be hung diagonally from high to low. The higher they are hung the better, as the wind will disperse their benefits more widely.
The flags should be hung only during auspicious days, on sunny days in the morning in a strong wind. They should be hung diagonally from high to low. The higher they are hung the better, as the wind will disperse their benefits more widely.